A Passage to Africa

This is probably the best book I have ever read. No other book has challenged, entertained and captivated me so much since I don't know when. Being an expatriate of Ghana, and having lived in England for the past ten years, this book has compelled me to get more involved and interested in African affairs today enough to want to make a difference. In his unassuming and matter-of-fact way of writing, George Alagiah has brought very sharply into question the apathy that silently plagues ex-pats like myself when it comes to making a stand for Africa in the face of corruption and caring enough about the plight of our less fortunate brothers and sisters caught in the cruel grip of poverty.

Typical biased, political agenda (3/27 people found this helpful)

When George Alegiah began his story with a thinly veiled justification for the Tamil Tigers terrorist group, I should have put this book down. I'm sorry I didn't.
Mixed in with some genuinely good prose is a poorly hidden agenda that mars the entire account. I wanted to read about Africa. George wanted to write about America . . . using Africa as his medium.
By the time his narrative reaches Somalia, the professional reporter, who knows every name and statistic, begins the insalubrious work of mud slinging. Individuals disappear and it's a group that bears the blame for everything. Which group? I think you already know.
'The Americans' are stupid, ignorant, foolish, brutish, barbaric and murderous. As an American, I'm lumped into that group too, of course. Osama would approve. It must vex George and his ilk to wonder how such a group of imbeciles rose to such power and prominence in the world today.
I will admit to not finishing this book. His agenda exposed, his bias obvious, George's entire work came into question. Too bad. I had such high hopes for this book. What a disappointment.

Superb - a magnificent account (8/8 people found this helpful)

This is, quite simply, a brilliant book. George Alagiah leads the reader through a history of modern Africa from a personal, involved and genuinely compassionate point of view. He details his own upbringing, first in Ceylon then in Ghana, where his family moved when he was 5. He then goes on to give fascinating and thought provoking accounts of his journalistic experiences in many different African countries. The accounts of his dealings with various regimes, armies, and above all ordinary people cannot fail to move the reader. He is not afraid to speak his mind, criticising various movements and leaders, both from Africa and the Western world. This book succeeds in making the amazing continent come alive, with stories of its people, its promise and its problems told by one of its proudest sons. Alagiah's understanding of African politics, culture, family and social life offer the reader super insights that any author without such a personal experience would surely struggle to do. Read it!

Introduction to a truthfull insight of Africa (6/7 people found this helpful)

His experience seems to encourage him to express what he believes is important to be shared about this continent.
The truthfullness of his expression brings the reader to compassion and encourages his interest for understanding...
Through the simplicity of words he is able to express the complexity of african nature but also the hope which lies beneath it. In some way, without excusing any atrocities, nor embellishing any symbolic hope, he truthfully makes Africa a continent to be proud of.

A well-written, personal view of events in Africa (15/15 people found this helpful)

Being a South African, I am more than just averagely interested in books on Africa. I knew George Aligiah from news reporting on UK TV only - I had no idea of his roots or his African adventures.

I found his writing exceptionally easy to read and personal. He writes of HIS experiences, and makes no apologies for not trying to write a full history of a situation. He lets you know of the wonders of Africa, as well as some of its horrors, and gets the balance right.

I finished the book wanting more, and feeling prouder of Africa than I had in a long time. Don't miss it!

George Alagiah

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